If you want to find cheap international flights, you need to do some research and spend some time online. If you know how to look and when to search for airfares, it is possible to make great savings.The best way to find affordable flights is to book early.
Book Your Flights Early
Ticket prices rise in the last 2-3 weeks before the departure date, and again a few days before the departure date. Last minute deals are very rare these days, and it does not make sense anymore to wait until the last moment to buy flights. When booking international flights you should book at least 3-6 months ahead to get the best prices. If you are planning to travel during a peak holiday season, such as Christmas and New Year, buy your flights as early as you can. As soon as you know your travel dates, start to look for flights.
Be Flexible About Dates
Being flexible about your departure date can save money. If you do not have to fly on a Friday or a Sunday, it can be a lot cheaper to fly in the middle of the week. Look for flights to the same destination on 2-3 different days and you will notice a difference in fares. The cheapest days to fly are usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, but it depends on the destination and possible public holidays. You can often find lower fares if you are willing to leave or arrive late at night or very early in the morning.
Find out if there is more than one airport in the destination. Flying to a smaller airport can be cheaper than flying to the main airport. Most budget airlines fly to smaller airports that are often located outside the main city area. If the airport is far from the city, you have to calculate transport costs that can add up. If smaller airports are too far away, sometimes it makes sense to fly to the main airport especially if it has good public transportation connections.
Shop Around for Best Prices
Shop around and compare different booking sites and search engines. Some websites let you see fare predictions, which means that you can see if flight prices to your destination are going to rise or fall in the near future. Airlines often announce their discounts and fare sales on a Tuesday, so check out for special offers for cheap international flights on a Tuesday. Some discount airlines only sell tickets through their own websites, and their fares are not available on flight booking sites.